TOWER OF STRENGTH: Chris ends his walk with young mascots Lauren Foster, 14, from Swanage, and Harley Carrington, 11, from Peterborough [DAVE NELSON]

Christian Nock, who served eight years as an infantryman, slept rough every night of his 7,000-mile trek to highlight the plight of homeless ex-servicemen.

He raised the amazing sum for military ­charity Help for Heroes.

The squaddie dreamed up the idea when he found himself homeless following a failed ­business venture after leaving the Army.

Chris, 40, started his epic 6,825-mile journey around the coast from Blackpool in August 2012 – carrying a full 66lb pack.

And after 584 days and 17 pairs of boots, he finally arrived back in the Lancashire resort yesterday.

Chris said: “When I first set off on this ­journey I’d lost everything.

“My marriage had broken down, the hotel I was running went bust, I had nothing.

“But now I have met thousands of people from all over the country who have given me so much.

“They’ve restored my faith in humanity and I’ve been so moved by the kindness people have shown me”

“They’ve restored my faith in humanity and I’ve been so moved by the kindness people have shown me.“

He added: “One thing I would like to come from me doing my walk is for the Government to recognise they need to do more to help these men and women who have risked their lives for their country.”

Chris, who was a corporal in the Staffordshire Regiment until 1998, carted around his Army-issue rucksack for his entire journey.

In it was a sleeping bag, camping stove, spare socks, torches and rations.

He had a number of close calls during his ­adventure – including nearly drowning.

He said: “I was on the south coast and just stumbled and fell off the pier into the sea in the middle of the night with my backpack on. I nearly drowned and I just remember thinking ‘This is it’ but I managed to clamber out and found a beach hut to sleep in.

“The next day I had to start again, in soaking clothes, freezing cold.”

EPIC: The campaign has been met with many supporters over social media [FACEBOOK]